Ball pen writing-without-ink: a truly simple and accessible method for sensitivity enhancement in lateral flow assays

A ball pen writing-without-ink method was developed to amplify the detection signal of LFAs through controlling fluid flow rate.

Dependence of the Piezoelectric Micropump Operating Mode on Its Geometry

A mathematical and computer axisymmetric models in which periodic oscillations of ring piezoelectric actuators placed on an elastic tube of circular cross-section leads to radial deformations of the tube is constructed. The result of these displacements is a local compression of the microchannel, which leads to changes in its volume and the corresponding pushing of the fluid. If a non-symmetrical oscillation scheme is used, the average fluid flow over the period will be non-zero and the device can be used as a micropump. The aim of the work is a computer study of the geometric features of an axisymmetric piezoelectric micropump, taking into account the processes of heat transfer by a fluid in the channel. The dependence of the average fluid flow rate on the channel parameters and the frequency of oscillations of the piezoelectric actuators is determined by the method of factorial experiment. The parameters preventing heat backflow have been determinate, which makes it possible to use a device for supplying coolant to a microgripper cooling system.

Steady flow of high-paraffin bituminous binder in cylindrical tube in terms of Herschel – Bulkley fluid

This paper deals with the flow of bitumen binder in a cylindrical tube described by the Hershel-Bulkley fluid. The dependence is suggested for the fluid flow rate and the pressure drop. Dependences are also determined for the radial velocity distribution and effective viscosity. It is found that at a low pressure drop, the non-Newtonian properties of the medium lead to a significant hydraulic resistance due to the internal structure. With an increase in the pressure drop, the hydraulic resistance of the flow decreases.

Fault Detection Algorithm for Multiple-Simultaneous Refrigerant Charge and Secondary Fluid Flow Rate Faults in Heat Pumps

The detection and diagnosis of faults is becoming necessary in ensuring energy savings in heat pump units. Faults can exist independently or simultaneously in heat pumps at the refrigerant side and secondary fluid flow loops. In this work, we discuss the effects that simultaneous refrigerant charge faults and faults associated with the flow rate of secondary fluids have on the performance of a heat pump operating in summer season and we developed a correlation to detect and diagnose these faults using multiple linear regression. The faults considered include simultaneous refrigerant charge and indoor heat exchanger secondary fluid flow rate faults (IFRFs), simultaneous refrigerant charge and outdoor heat exchanger secondary fluid flow rate faults (OFRFs) and simultaneous refrigerant charge, IFRF and OFRF. The occurrence of simultaneous refrigerant charge fault, IFRF and OFRF caused up to a 5.7% and 8% decrease in cooling capacity compared to simultaneous refrigerant charge and indoor heat exchanger secondary fluid flow rate faults, and simultaneous refrigerant charge and outdoor heat exchanger secondary fluid flow rate faults, respectively. Simultaneous refrigerant charge fault, IFRF and OFRF resulted in up to an 11.6% and 5.9% decrease in COP of the heat pump unit compared to simultaneous refrigerant charge fault and IFRF, and simultaneous refrigerant charge fault and OFRF, respectively. The developed FDD correlations accurately predicted the simultaneous refrigerant charge and faults in the flow rate of the secondary fluid within an error margin of 7.7%.

Mechanical Impact Effects of Fluid Hammer Effects on Drag Reduction of Coiled Tubing

Aiming at the oscillation drag reduction tool that improves the extension limit of coiled tubing downhole operations, the fluid hammer equation of the oscillation drag reducer is established based on the fluid hammer effect. The fluid hammer equation is solved by the asymptotic method, and the distribution of fluid pressure and flow velocity in coiled tubing with oscillation drag reducers is obtained. At the same time, the axial force and radial force of the coiled tubing caused by the fluid hammer oscillator are calculated according to the momentum theorem. The radial force will change the normal contact force of the coiled tubing which has a great influence on frictional drag. The results show that the fluid flow rate and pressure decrease stepwise from the oscillator position to the wellhead position, and the fluid flow rate and pressure will change abruptly during each valve opening and closing time. When the fluid passes through the oscillator, the unit mass fluid will generate an instantaneous axial tension due to the change in the fluid velocity, thereby converting the static friction into dynamic friction, which is conducive to the extend limit of coiled tubing.

Experimental investigation of proppant clustering in intersected fractures

This paper investigates the dynamics of proppant agglomerations during flow and transport within fractures intersected at the angles typical for the joint of pre-existing and newly formed fractures. The study considers variations and coupling of fluid flow rates, proppant volumetric concentrations, fluid dynamic viscosities and fracture intersection angles. Proppants are widely used during hydraulic fracturing to keep fractures open and enhance reservoir permeability. This study uses plexiglas experimental slots and visual analysis for identifying particle displacements. Geo-Particle Image Velocimetry–Reliability-Guided (GeoPIV-RG) method tracks particle movements among images by comparing the reference and subsequent snapshots at the point and time of interest. Results of this study show that the proppant volumetric concentration and the fluid flow rate are closely correlated with each other for affecting proppant flow, transport, and agglomeration formation. Increasing the proppant volumetric concentration generally promotes particle agglomeration, with different extent when coupled with the fluid flow rate. Proppant volumetric concentration affects the size, shape, and distribution of particle clusters. Increasing the fluid flow rate increases the occurrence of particle agglomerates at low proppant volumetric concentration; however, this trend is absent under high proppant volumetric concentrations. Sizes and shapes of proppant agglomerates change as the fluid flow rate changes. Changes of fracture intersection angle minimally affect shape, size and distance between proppant agglomerates and clusters. Furthermore, increasing the fluid dynamic viscosity strongly promotes proppant agglomeration. Although fluid dynamic viscosity changes do not affect the shape and size of particle clusters, the distance between adjacent clusters decreases at higher fluid dynamic viscosity.

Experimental Study of The Influence of Fluid Flow Rate on The Risk of Rock Destruction

The stresses acting in the vicinity of wells have a significant impact on the flow properties of the reservoir and, as a result, on the flow rate of oil wells. The magnitude of such stresses depends on the deformation properties of the rock and on the oil pressure at the bottom of the well. In this work, an attempt to study the effect of flow fields (formation flow rate, well flow rates) on rocks in near-wellbore zones was performed. For this purpose, the correlation of such indicators as the fluid flow rate and the risk of destruction of the rocks of the productive deposits of one of the gas fields were experimentally studied. The experiments were performed on chosen core samples with quite wide range of flow and volumetric reservoir properties. It was concluded that the rock samples of the productive deposits of the studied formation do not collapse under the influence of pressure gradients corresponding to the design flow rates.